The Indians’ two-time All-Star second baseman believes, if this were midseason, he could play through the sore shoulder that has sidelined him for much of the spring. In fact, he’s confident this might go largely unspoken of if this were June or July.

But with three weeks until the regular season opener in Texas, he also understands and appreciates the big picture approach the Indians have taken.

“We’re going to take the time to do what’s best to get rid of it instead of putting a band-aid on it,” he said.

Before being shelved for the second time in camp with the rotator cuff strain, Kipnis was making good progress in his hitting and throwing — or so he thought — but he continued to experience some discomfort, mostly while performing normal, everyday tasks. Instead of powering through the pain, the team felt...